Literacy Lesson: Strega Nona

Literacy Lesson: Strega Nona

Grade Level: 2nd Grade, Struggling 3rd Grade

Subject: English/Reading

Duration: Listening - 12 minutes, Assessment - 5-7 minutes, Writing Activity - 20 minutes

DOK Level: 3

SAMR Level: Augmentation

Indiana Standard:

2.RL.1 Read and comprehend a variety of literature within a range of complexity appropriate for grades 2-3. By the end of grade 2, students interact with texts proficiently and independently at the low end of the range and with scaffolding as needed at the high end.

2.RL.2.1 Ask and answer questions (e.g., who was the story about; why did an event happen; where did the story happen) to demonstrate understanding of main idea and key details in a text.

3.RV.3.1 Determine how the author uses words and phrases to provide meaning to works of literature, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language, including figurative language (e.g., similes).  

Objective: Students will be able to listen to a story being read aloud, accurately answer comprehension and literary elements questions about the story, and write about a text to life connection.

Procedure: The student will access this link to view and listen to the story “Strega Nona” retold and illustrated by Tomie de Paola: Read Aloud Link.It would be helpful for the student to have his/her own copy of the book to track the words and follow along with the story. They can access this video from any device that has an internet connection. They can use the pause or rewind button to review any part of the story. Once they have completed the listening exercise, they should access the assessment (in the Assessment section) to demonstrate comprehension. In addition to the assessment, they should complete the writing exercise.

Student directions for follow up activity:

Option 1 - Part 1 ~ “We learned in the book that Strega Nona means ‘Grandma Witch.’ The people of the town would go to see her if they need help because she had a magic touch. Imagine that you could ask Strega Nona for a magic cure or potion. What would you ask for?  Use a Google Doc to describe and tell about the magic you are asking her for. Why are you asking for this? Use two pictures to show what will happen. Part 2 ~ Strega Nona sang a song to the pasta pot. ‘Bubble, bubble pasta pot. Boil me up some pasta, nice and hot.’ Did you notice it has a rhythm when the narrator sang it?  Write a short song that Strega Nona could sing when she creates your magic cure or potion.”

Option 2 - “Big Anthony used Strega Nona’s pasta pot without permission and it did not go very well.  Use a Google Doc and tell about a time that you used something without permission. What did you do?  What happened? Did someone find out? Make sure you are using very descriptive detail.”

Resources: Personal Learning Device (iPad/Chromebook/Laptop) or other device to view video, GoFormative Account (It’s free!) or Scholastic Reading Counts or Accelerated Reader (for use with assessments), Paper and colored pencils to design Digital program for written response, Optional: a physical copy of the picture book. Headphones, if necessary. Access to Google Slides or Powerpoint and/or Google Docs to complete the research activity.  

Product or Assessment: If your school provides the assessment systems Scholastic Reading Counts or Accelerated Reader, this book has a comprehension quiz in both systems. The Accelerated Reader quiz number is: 6093. The book level is 3.9.  Scholastic Reading Counts also offers a quiz, but the number is only accessible if your school has a paid subscription.  If your school does not maintain one of those systems, you can use this link to access the assessment created in the GoFormative site over the literary elements: Strega Nona Story Elements Quiz GoFormative is a free assessment tool and anyone can register! The teacher could certainly use the AR/SRC and the Go Formative, as they cover different aspects of literacy, not just comprehension.

Enrichment: Storyline Online is available 24 hours a day for children, parents, caregivers and educators worldwide.Each book includes supplemental curriculum developed by a credentialed elementary educator, aiming to strengthen comprehension and verbal and written skills for English-language learners. Click here for Storyline's additional activities and resources for this story. This link includes cross curricular projects.

Additional Note: Ten Reasons to Read Aloud to Children: 1. To provide enjoyment. 2. To model expressive reading. 3. To show the connections between speech and print. 4. To help children develop stronger vocabularies and more sophisticated language structures. 5. To introduce different genres and writing styles. 6. To increase attention Span. 7. To strengthen cognitive ability. 8. To enhance the affective domain. 9. To help second language learners to become familiar with the sounds and shapes of English. 10. To meet national literacy standards (Polette, 2014). Article retrieved from this Read Aloud Resource .